I expect Alabama to come out on offense like they did against LSU and Florida - spread the field and throw the ball early in the game. This will set up the bruising rushing attack of Ingram and Richardson as the game wears on. I believe this game will be close till about half time. But if things work out the way I see them Alabama pulls away in the 4th quarter and chews tons of time of the clock control the ball and play swarming defense. I may be a homer but I expect Alabama to win.
Eddie McCoy - Auburn Football Insider
Texas 31, Alabama 24
This game is going to be a battle along the trenches and the team that wins that battle will win the Championship. Texas did a poor job against Nebraska, but mainly because they had the best defensive player in the country and one of the best d-lineman that I've seen in several years in Suh going against them. This game, they have one of the best defenses in the country going against them in Bama. Bama's defense thrives on confusing the QB and having the QB check into bad plays. The million dollar question is whether this defense will be successful against an offense that is truly high tempo and fast paced and doesn't make many adjustments. In the Auburn game, when Auburn's offense got up to the line and ran the play quickly, they caught Alabama in some bad spots and I expect Texas to do the same. With that said, it really comes down to Texas's D vs. Alabama's O. I think Muschamp will take away the run and force McElroy to win with his arm. McElroy was able to take advantage of that same situation earlier in the year, but Texas' defense is one of the best and in the nation. I like Texas to hit some big plays and play a bend but don't break defense and win this game in a much higher scoring game than most figure.
Article comments
1 - 11
I could not possibly disagree with Eddie McCoy more. This game does not come down to Alabama's O v. Texas' D; it will come down to the opposite.
You admitted that Texas doesn't make adjustments on offense. How in the world is a team that lacks playmakers and relies on its QB to make all its plays going to move the ball on a Nick Saban defense?
Texas' offense is a less talented version of Florida. If you watched that game, you know that didn't go too well for the Gators.
No one has explained to me yet how Texas is going to score. They could play this game twice and the Longhorns wouldn't get to 31.
Alabama 27, Texas 7
2 - Josh Hathaway
Why on earth does you think Alabama is going to go out and forget how to play defense? Look, if you want to pick Texas, that's fine. You want to say 17-13 or 21-17 even, we can talk. You are wrong, but we can talk. You just told me that Steve Bartkowski is the greatest QB of all time. Go sit at the kids table. Here's your AU sippie cup.
3 - Matthew T. Sussman
Still can't believe the most they've given up this year was 24.
4 - Daneric Johnson
People People!! I can almost Guarantee you that this will be a Coming OUT Party for Tre' Newton! No playmakers, I guess Shipley and his Beastly Co-Receivers aren't 1st Round Enough For ya....
Texas 24 Alabama 21
5 - 11
No playmakers. I am standing by it. Texas can't and won't move the ball. They are going to need turnovers against a team that doesn't turn the ball over and big plays in the special teams.
McCoy can't get to the outside against Alabama's secondary. That Texas o-line is going to get blown up the way Nebraska blew it up, and McCoy is going to be throwing every down. That's a bad idea, too.
But don't take my word for it: Tune in Thursday at 7:30, 8:30 Central. Get yer popcorn. Set the DVR. Call a friend.
6 - Josh Hathaway
Shipley has 100 receptions and that's nice, but we've seen him shut down and taken away. Co-Beastley? I'm sorry but James Kirkendoll isn't putting fear in the hearts of anyone and neither Dan Buckner. Ship is a borderline first-round talent. He can have his seven catches for 70 yards and Texas still doesn't get in the end zone.
As for Tre' Newton, no single back has gained 100 yards against Alabama in over two years and none of these guys on Texas of all teams won't be the first team to do it.
7 - 11
Excuse me: That's 7:30 Central, 8:30 Eastern. I don't want anyone to miss the first hour of the game. That may be all that's worth watching unless you are a hardcore 'Bama fan.
8 - Jay The Sage
I just want to add that tomorrow night is Greg McElroy's night to shine. Think about Alabama's stats. Ingram has averaged almost 10 y.p.c. after contact. Jones is the go-to guy on the team. Upchurch (if given the chance), will make big plays, and Richardsons' speed makes him a force to be reckoned with. Then we have one of the best defensive backs in college football. Alabama 35, Texas 34. Enough said.
9 - Josh Hathaway
And I had a grammatical error I'd like to clean up. Texas hasn't successfully run the ball on anyone and no single back has gained 100 yards against a Bama defense in over two years. There is no statistical evidence or logical reason to think any of these Longhorn backs will end that streak. If Texas wins -- and they won't -- it won't be because they learned how to run the football after not being able to for four months nor will it be because Alabama suddenly forgot how to stop the run. The difference between Alabama vs the run and Texas vs the run is that Alabama's numbers came against statistically better rushing attacks than Texas' did. This is going to be an epic beatdown and you heard it here first.
10 - Josh Hathaway
How is Texas going to score 34, JayTheSage? They got 13 against a good but lesser defense in Nebraska. That's another Hall of Fame vote for Bartkowski there.
11 - Jay The Sage
Everyone is going to want a high scoring game. Alabama isn't just going to win, they're gonna look good doing it. This isn't just some championship game. They know they got this. They're gonna let Texas put up some points. Even you can't lie and say Texas isn't gonna bring everything they've got. And remember, Bama barely won against Arkansas. . .
12 - 11
I predict that when the sun comes up tomorrow, it will be red, not yellow. I know it has been yellow for millions of years. Ignore all data and trust me: Tomorrow, the sun will be red.
13 - 11
Bama destroyed Arkansas by five TDs.
14 - Jay The Sage
my badd, i mean tennessee. they won 12-10
15 - Jay The Sage
even auburn put up a fight, remember?
16 - Salsa Shark
Auburn? Seriously?
C'Mon. 'Bama toasted those punks 26-7.
They'll beat Texas by 20.
17 - Josh Hathaway
Wait... you think Nick Saban is thinking, "Everyone wants a good show, so what we're going to do is let Texas put up a few points and then we're going to shut them down and win?" Okay, you don't even get a seat at the little kids' table. We're going to get you the locomotive from Mr. Rogers that takes people to the Land of Make Believe.
18 - 11
They did put up a fight. That's fair. But Tennesee scored 10 points, and Auburn scored 21, 14 of which came on big plays. 10 and 21 equals 31 combined in those two games. Florida scored 13, and their offense is far better than either AU or UT.
No one has sustained drives against Alabama all year. For Texas to score 30+ points, they are going to have to hit four or five big plays.
That may well happen, but it hasn't happened yet. That's my point. No one has sustained drives against Alabama yet, and I don't think Texas will either.
19 - Jay The Sage
Ok Josh, but lie and say that it's not going to be a close game. You misinterpret wat i'm saying. They're gonna be scoring on both sides. You know it as well as anyone else. Bama is still coming out on top.
20 - Jay The Sage
And Bama won 26-21 over Auburn mann. . .
21 - Jay The Sage
Had not Terrence Cody blocked that field goal, Bama woulda lost to Tennessee.
22 - Jay The Sage
Those big plays you just commented on are what texas will be looking for dude.
23 - Josh Hathaway
They'll also be looking for the Loch Ness monster, I'm sure. Every team wanted to stop Mark Ingram this year, too. 12/13 failed. I'm sure every team Alabama faced wanted big plays. Not many of those were surrendered. We've seen good defenses stifle Texas and I don't see anywhere they have a matchup advantage that will yield these big plays.
24 - kelly
Alabama may win or Texas.Who knows,but i go for bama.